Weekly E-News, Issue #143, January 10, 2006

Jan 10, 2006

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Hasbro Signs ?Marvel?ous New Deal
Hasbro, Inc., will bring a range of toys and games to retail shelves in January
2007 as part of a new five-year deal signed with Marvel Entertainment. The
toymaker plans to create a line of action figures, role-play and preschool
toys, board games, and puzzles featuring both the ?classic? comic book look of
the characters, as well as those based on Marvel-themed movies. Hasbro?s first
product line will focus on Ghost Rider and Spider-Man 3. The license guarantees
Marvel $205 million in royalty and service fee payments, of which $70 million
would be payable on the theatrical release of Spider-Man 3 and $35 million upon
the theatrical release of Spider-Man 4. In addition, the license can be
extended past the five-year term, dependent on the number of other
entertainment properties released during that time frame.

There?s No Business Like Snow Business
Cartoon Network and Kids? WB! signed on as official sponsors of the 2006 Sports
Illustrated For Kids Next Snow Search. The three-year old program is a
season-long quest to find the best 9- to 13-year-olds on skis and snowboards.
The annual search comprises more than 70 competitions at U.S. and Canadian
resorts, culminating in a championship competition at Vermont?s Killington
Resort March 3 to 5, 2006. This year?s program also will include a new
All-Stars event, hosted by Colorado?s Keystone Resort January 27 to 28, 2006.
Cartoon Network will project an original 30-minute cartoon special called Mount
Miguzi onto the snow as part of the All-Stars event, while Kids? WB! will show
episodes of its new series, Loonatics Unleashed and Johnny Test, at the
Killington, VT, qualifying events and finals.

Playboy Adds Luxe Watch Line
Playboy signed an agreement with Jacob & Co. to create a line of ?Five Time
Zone? luxury watches for men and women. The watches, created by jeweler to the
stars Jacob Arabo, are available in three styles: a Playboy version of Arabo?s
geometric-shaped ?Five Time Zone? display, and the other two solely featuring
the iconic Playboy Rabbit Head in either pink or black diamonds. Each will be
embellished with diamonds and precious stones and will retail between $10,600
and $33,500.

Family Guy Products to Hit Amusement Circuit
One Stop Toy Co., Inc., will create a line of Family Guy products via a new
deal with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising. Inflatable
basketballs, filled vinyl characters (for wall and window mounting), vinyl key
chains, and more will be distributed through amusement and vending channels in
spring 2006.

Global Prints Banks on Rent
Global Prints entered into a licensing agreement with Revolution Studios
through its licensing agency, Quattromedia, for art prints and posters for the
movie, Rent. Going forward, the company plans on releasing more publications
focusing on major characters in the movie.

Verizon Talks Up New Deal
Verizon-branded home networking equipment will hit store shelves in spring as
the company furthers its strategy of reaching new markets and consumers. The
new line of wireless routers, desktop and notebook cards, and USB adapters will
be complemented by kiosks, signage, and displays. In addition, marketing
programs will include rebates, coupons, and other special offers. Belkin will
produce, ship, and provide technical and customer support for the broadband
networking equipment. Licensing agent Brandgenuity LLC facilitated the
agreement.

TV Sets to Get Looney
HANNspree California, Inc., signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products
to create a line of LCD television sets based on the Looney Tunes characters.
The initial line will include Tweety, Bugs Bunny, and Taz. As part of the
agreement, HANNspree will be the licensee for Looney Tunes-themed LCD TV sets
in the United States with all products available at national and regional
retailers, all HANNspree-owned stores, http://www.HANNSpree.com/,
and http://www.Amazon.com/.

Sheppard Named to New Licensing Post
Elizabeth Sheppard was named to the newly created position of director of
licensing sales for Meredith Corporation. In this position, Sheppard will be
responsible for leading several new initiatives designed to grow the company?s
brand licensing sales.
Licensing Show Webinar
Licensing 2006 International Show organizers are offering a free Webinar,
entitled ?Maximize your Licensing International ROI: Best Practices for Savvy
Exhibitors,? Wednesday, February 1, from 12 to 12:45 p.m. EDT. An optional
Q&A will follow. This event will provide insights into how to use the
industry?s annual gathering to grow licensing revenue and develop new
promotional partnerships. Participation is limited. For details visit www.licensingshow.com/webinar.
Upcoming Industry EventsAmerican International Toy Fair, February
12-15, 2006, Toy District and Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, http://www.toy-tia.org/AITFNew York Comic-Con, February
24-26, 2006, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, http://www.nycomiccon.com/Youth Marketing Mega-Event 2006,
March 27-29, 2006, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Huntington
Beach, CA, http://www.youthmarketingmegaevent.com/

Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
License!?s License! Finder allows you to submit licenses granted and available
now online, which will be published on the License! Website (http://www.licensemag.com/) on a weekly
basis once approved by an editor. Go to http://www.finder.licensemag.com/
to fill out the verification form and submit your licenses granted or available
now. Highlights from each month?s online submissions will be published in
License! magazine. Any questions, contact Alyson Grala at (212) 951-6743 or via
e-mail: agrala@advanstar.com.